Arron Afflalo likely to opt out of Knicks contract, sees himself as ‘one of the premier two-guards’ in NBA

Arron Afflalo sees his role reduced with the Knicks under Kurt Rambis. (Ron Hoskins/NBAE/Getty Images)

INDIANAPOLIS — Arron Afflalo wants a frank conversation with Knicks brass in his exit interview, which, based on his demotion to the bench and his comments Tuesday, is likely to serve as his exit from the franchise.

"I still believe I'm one of the premier two-guards in this league and part of being an elite two-guard in this league is opportunity," he said. "You have to be in a certain environment where you can excel and show what you can do. And hopefully that contributes to winning. I still believe I'm that player. I'll find the best opportunity for me."

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Afflalo holds an $8 million player option for next season that, if declined as indicated, will give the Knicks enough cap space to chase a max free agent — with Kevin Durant, DeMar DeRozan, Mike Conley Jr. and Dwight Howard among the top members of the 2016 class.

Afflalo looked like a bargain for the Knicks when he served as the team's secondary scorer under Derek Fisher, but the 30-year-old's role and production diminished rapidly when Kurt Rambis took over.

"I've been through so much in my career in terms of the opinions of how your game fits in certain situations and what can you do?" Afflalo said. "What can you do outside of when you're in a chance to put yourself in position, you make the move that's necessary?"

Afflalo signed with the Knicks last summer after a recommendation from Carmelo Anthony, who was teammates with the Compton native for a couple of seasons in Denver. He averaged 13.9 points on 45% shooting until March, when Rambis sent him to the bench because Sasha Vujacic brought more energy to the lineup.

"I'm a straight communication guy. Just talk to me, tell me," Afflalo said Tuesday. "To me that's the key to success, the key to a winning culture — clarity and communication. When you have a lot of assumptions in the air it's too much room for error."

Derrick Williams bet on himself with his short-term Knicks deal, and is a likely candidate to opt-out after a productive season as a role player. (Brad Penner/USA Today Sports)

He said Rambis, who finished with a 9-19 record, performed adequately overall.

"Obviously he and Phil (Jackson) have a longstanding relationship. He has a lot of experience as a player and a coach," Afflalo said. "So for what it's worth, I thought he did a decent job."

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Afflalo is one of seven players on the roster who can become free agents, and the signs are pointing towards all of them taking that opportunity.

Derrick Williams owns the other player option at $4.6 million. The former second overall pick, who played well although often undisciplined with the Knicks, said he won a gamble by signing a short contract last summer.

"I wanted to take a chance on myself and I think I really pulled through on that one," he said.

If both Afflalo and Williams opt out, the Knicks will have over $30 million in cap space to spend on free agents. The roster is ripe with front-court players and the Knicks should prioritize guards this summer. DeRozan and Conley Jr. are probably the top backcourt players on the market, while Anthony has lobbied for the acquisition of Rajon Rondo.

"I'm a team player, and if it's better for the team, it's great, I got no problem with that," Calderon said. "I know my role, I know my weaknesses. That's not going to be a problem with me. The organization should not be thinking that they have to start Jose."